Lindian Resources’ Kangankunde rare earths project in Malawi is on course for first monazite concentrate production in December, as construction advances across the processing plant and ore stockpiles continue to grow.
The ASX 300-listed company said structural steel installation in the wet high-intensity magnetic separation and magnetic gravity separation sections was 90 per cent complete. Installation of shaking tables was 80 per cent finished, while the regrind mill had been fitted and piping work was under way.
The project is based on a 261-million-tonne resource grading 2.19 per cent total rare earth oxides. Its initial stage is expected to draw on a higher-grade core of 26 million tonnes grading 3.7 per cent.
Power infrastructure has also moved forward, with the 33-kilovolt overhead transmission line commissioned through to the transformer yard. The plant’s two 1,250 kilovolt-ampere transformers have passed factory acceptance testing in Malawi and are on site, with energisation planned for the first week of November.
Lindian said this would allow motor testing and electrical commissioning to take place before the first ore is introduced to the plant.
Mining has continued alongside construction. Run-of-mine stockpiles had reached 149,000 tonnes, up from 125,000 tonnes in September, while operations had moved to the upper levels of the pit and drilling was being carried out from the top of the hill to open additional mining faces.
“Kangankunde is in the final stretch of construction. Our target is clear: first monazite concentrate in December,” Lindian executive director Zac Komur said.
“The plant is taking shape, ore stockpiles are growing and our focus is on completing the remaining work and commissioning safely. Every milestone brings us closer to becoming a rare earths producer.”
Kangankunde rare earths project moves towards commissioning
Stage one of the Kangankunde rare earths project is fully funded through to production under a strategic partnership and offtake agreement with Iluka Resources, the mineral sands producer.
Lindian said 85 per cent of its direct workforce of 3,000 people was made up of local employees, overwhelmingly Malawian nationals, working across the wider project construction effort.
The company has also acquired the SARECO mixed rare earth carbonate processing facility in Kazakhstan and agreed a partnership with French processing specialist Carester to develop an oxide separation facility there. A binding offtake agreement has been secured for future high-value heavy rare earth products.
Operational preparations are now under way, with the first plant supervisor and two control room operators appointed and operator training started. Key consumables have been secured, while contracts for rail transport and freight forwarding are being finalised ahead of the first shipment.
